Reaction from local legislators re: State of the State

From Assemblyman Anthony Adams: Assemblyman Anthony Adams (R-Hesperia) offered the following comments in response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's annual State of the State address, which he delivered to a joint session of the Legislature on January 15, 2009.
''There is no doubt the challenges before us are great. But great challenges provide the opportunity for great success. Now is the time for us to invoke the spirit of America's ''Greatest Generation'' and unite behind the call of individual sacrifice for the good of the whole,'' said Adams.
Adams said that he shared the Governor's commitment to working across party lines to craft honest and realistic solutions to avert California's looming cash crisis and get the state back on track. He said he agreed with the Governor that everyone - including the Legislature - should be prepared to make the sacrifices required to solving our growing budget crisis.

From State Senator Bob Huff: Senator Bob Huff (R - Diamond Bar) released the following statement after hearing Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2009 State of the State address which was delivered to a joint session of the Senate and Assembly earlier today.
“I applaud the Governor’s petition to the legislature to produce a sound and balanced budget before addressing the many other issues that plague California,” stated Senator Huff. “Vital infrastructure projects have already been brought to a halt, and people up and down the state are concerned about whether or not they will be paid. California’s finances must be brought under control or the consequences will be devastating.”
Senator Huff continued, “2008 was a tough year. A weakened economy, a decline in the housing market, and a lack of the Legislature’s will to rein in government spending has wreaked havoc on the hardworking taxpayers of California. As we look to 2009, I am encouraged that the Governor’s top priority will be to restore the foundation of our state’s fiscal house, for we are hamstrung by a budget crisis that dwarfs all other issues.”
“I remain committed to working with the Governor and my colleagues across the aisle to produce a fiscally responsible budget. We must strive to keep more money in the pockets of hard-working Californians and enact real budget reforms to keep this boom/bust cycle from happening again,” said Senator Huff.
“Looking beyond 2009, California lawmakers must prioritize spending and make each taxpayer dollar work to benefit California – that is how government continues to meet the needs of its citizens during an economic downturn. For this reason, I have authored Senate Bill 8, which requires state departments to utilize a performance-based budgeting program. California must institute long-term budget reform. We must ensure that every taxpayer dollar is being used resourcefully and efficiently,” concluded Senator Huff. “There is no alternative.”

From Supervisor Michael Antonovich: Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich issued the following response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s State of the State speech today:

“The crisis our state faces in Sacramento highlights the need for structural reform that includes a 2-year budget, a part-time legislature, an end to legislation that costs more to pass than the recipient receives – as well as an end to term limits.

A 2-year budget provides local government a consistent funding stream for it to prepare its own financial agenda for public safety, schools, libraries and parks. In addition, a part-time legislature would enable citizen lawmakers to bring valuable professional experience to the legislative process. Term limits have created instability to the process and an inexperienced legislature that is unable to govern effectively.

Also, it makes no sense for the State Legislature to spend $500,000 just to pass a bill allocating $100,000 for a library or municipal program when local government could use the entire $500,000 and pay directly for these types of services.”